ADDRESS 



'Y 



OF THE 



1\. U b 1 11. IL O 



OF T H 2 



COLLEGE OF MEFF-JERSET, 



TO THE 



INHABITANTSi 



OF T II C 



UNITED STATES, 



riiiLADzLPniA : 

PlilKTED BY W. V:. WOODV/ARD5 

7vo. 52; South Second, corner of Chefnut Strecf: 

"X 



Ik.H 



ADDRESS 

Of the Trustees of the College of New- Jersey^ 
to the Inhabitants of the United States, 



FsiNtEroN, March ISth, 1802. 

X HE burnmg of the college edifice in 
this place on the 6th instant, has been announ- 
ced in all the public papers. This melancholy 
occurrence having occasioned a meeting of the 
Trustees of the College of Hew -Jersey^ they 
have found it to be an indispensable obligation, 
arising out of the trust confided to them, to 
make a representation to the public, in behalf 
of the institution committed to their care. In 
doing this they are deeply sensible that every 
consideration, both of dutyand interest, diftates, 
that they should exercise a peculiar daution not 
to depart from the simplicity of truth. 

The College of New-Jersey was originally 
founded with a leading view to cherish the prin- 
ciples, and extend the influence of evangelical 
piety. At the same time it was hoped and ex- 
pelled, that as the spirit of genuine religion is 
ever favorable to the interests of civil society, 
many warm and able advocates of these interests 
would be nurtured in the bosom of this institu- 
tion. We trust it may be asserted without ar- 
rogance or vanity, that these views and hopes 
have not proved fallacious or extravagant. Who- 
ever will look through the several department* 
of public life at present, or review the eventful 
scenes which our country has witnessed for half 
a century past, may be convinced that this col- 
lege counts among those who have been most 
distinguished in sacred and in secular office, a 
number of her sons which she need nbt blush to 
sompare with those of any sister institution. 



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One prmcipal cause of the usefulness of this 
seminary, has been its complete independence 
on legislative influence and controul, and its 
dependance, as complete, on the benevolence 
and favor of an impartial public; which could 
alone be secured by its intrinsic merit, and its 
constant and vigorous eiforts to render itself 
worthy of voluntary individual patronage — Pre- 
viously to the American revolution it was, to 
say the least, commonly no obje^l of favor with 
the government of the province. By the depre- 
ciation of continental money, and other events 
which took place during the revolution, the 
funds of the corporation, always inconsiderable,, 
were nearly annihilated; while the buildings in 
their possession, by being alternately occupied 
by the contending armies, were reduced almost 
to a state of ruin. Since the revolution, the le- 
gislature of Nev/Jersey have made a grant of 
eighteen hundred pounds, appropriated by law 
to the repairing of the buildings, to the increase 
of the library, and to the provision of a philoso- 
phical apparatus — This is all the legislative aid 
that we ever have received; perhaps that we ever 
shall obtain. 

' Under every discouragement and difficulty^ 
however, the institution has not only been sup- 
ported and epntinued^ but has been able in some 
measure to retrieve its losses. By the exertion 
of its friends and the small public bounty which 
was conferred, the buildings were put in te- 
nantable repair, the library and philosophical 
apparatus became respectable, the faculty were 
comfortably provided for, the number of students 
was greatly increased, and all the future pros- 
pects of the college began to brighten. But 
alas ! in one fatal day they were all clouded with 
the darkest gloom. The fair edifice, ereCted 
by the liberality and consecrated by the prayers 
of our pious and public spirited predecessors^ 



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was totally consumed, and three thousand vo'< 
lumes of valuable books, with much private 
property of the students, perished in the flames. 
Under this inauspicious and affliclive event, 
which the providence of a holy God has permits 
ted to take place, we are humbled and mourn.* 
But can we, ought we, so far to despond, as to 
suffer the establishment to become extin6l I No, 
we are rather resolved, relying on that aid which 
has always hitherto been extended to us in the 
time of distress, to meet with increasing efforts 
the incr^easingbillows of adversity. Our funds arq 
indeed small;— they are as nothing when com^ 
pared with our present necessities. But we are 
confident we have many friends ; And when w^ 
recollecl how much more numerous, as well as 
how much more wealthy, the individuals are 
who are likely to patronize the college now, than 
those were who established it at first;— when we 
recolle6l, above all, the pure designs, the ardent 
vows, the unshaken faith of those who laid its 
foundations, and call to mind that* it has in fa6l 
been eminently blessed as a nursery both for 
•church and state, we cannot distrust the event 
of our efforts. We cannot but hope that this 
temporary calamity is even to be over-ruled for 
a lasting benefit. Entertaining these sentiments, 
we have determined to recal the scattered stu- 
dents, to set about the rebuilding of the 
college without delay, and to cast ourselves on 
the care of Divine Providence, and on the pub- 
lic liberality, to bear us through. 

But realizing for ourselves, and begging our 
friends to realize likewise, that confidence of 
success in an arduous undertaking without the 

* The circumstances which attended the burning; of 
the college were such as to leave little dotibt that it was 
the effed of design ; but though every eftort has been 
used for that purpose, we have not yet been able to as* 
certain the incendiary^ 



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most a6!ive and vigorous exertions to secure it, 
is rather weakness and presumption than any 
commendable or virtuous quality, we feel the 
necessity of using our utmost endeavors to ob- 
tain benefaftions for the college. We have ac-' 
cordingly taken measures to open suoscriptions 
for this purpose; and we beg for a candid indul- 
gence while we address a few words 

L^TO THE FRIENDS OF RELIGION, 

TO those who are comprehended in this 
description our college owed its original esta- 
blishment; and we trust that the friends of reli- 
gion now, will not be found less munificent than 
those who possessed this chara6ler fifty years ago. 
Your means of promoting laudable designs are 
greatly increased— Far from us be the injurious 
supposition that your disposition to do good is 
din^inished. On you, we avow it explicitly, is 
our principal relia^nce. We have always endea- 
vored to make the institution for which we soli- 
cit, a fountain of those principles which to you 
are the dearest and the most sacred ; and these 
epdeavors we mean to continue even v/ith increa- 
sed zeal. We propose to recommence the in- 
structions of the college with new regulations, 
calculated to secure more elFeCtually than ever, 
the moral and religious conduft of the youth en- 
trusted to our care. We aim to make this insti- 
tution an asylum for pious youth, so that in this 
day of general and lamentable depravity, parent^ 
may send their children to it with every reasona- 
ble expectation of safety and advantage. This 
we know will create us some enemies; but your 
patronage and prayers v/ill, in every view, be 
more than a compensation for their hostility. 
We never, indeed, have been so attached to the 
dogmas of any religious seCl as to impose them 
on our pupils— To all past experience we appeal 
as evidence, that religious iiitoleranee has never. 



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existed here. But religious principle always 
has been, and we hope always will be, cherished 
and guarded with- care and vigilance. To the 
friends of religion, then, we look, to enable us 
to eretl a buhv ark against the assaults of impi- 
ety, and in defence of the pure gospel 6f Jesus 
Christ. 

II.-rTO THE FRIENDS OF SCIENCE. 



AMONG those who merit this appellation 
we hope to find many of our warmest advocates 
and valuable patrons : For to all the friends of 
science, wherever educated, all her interests we 
know must be dear. In whatever sect or in 
whatever region, science prospers, men of 
science always rejoice. Rendered liberal by 
their own attainments, they can even abstract 
from the characlers of others what is offensive 
to themselves, and still prize and esteem intelli- 
gence, talents and learning, wherever they are 
found. From you, gentlemen, we ask some 
pecuniary assistance to enable us to cultivate 
the sciences, in an institution which has not 
been the least distinguished in our country 
either for zeal or success in fostering them. 
Freed from sordid views and feelings by your 
education and habits of thinking, you will af- 
ford us cheerfully the assistance which may be 
proper — To press the subje6l on you would be 
iinpertinent. 

III.— TO THE FRIENDS OF CIVIL ' 
LIBERTY. 

OF those who are eminently entitled to this 
designation, many have received their education 
with us, and many more have always regarded 
us with kindness. In an hour of peculiar ne- 
cessity we UQW solicit your benevolent iiiterpo^ 



[ 6 } 

sltion in our favor. A Xeport, A-v^e are informed,- 
has gone forth, that this institution is charge- 
able with political intolerance. The justness of 
this charge we absolutely deny. So far as the 
demands of religion can be supposed by any to 
interfere with those of a political nature, we 
must indeed admit, nay we are forwar4 
to declare, that w^e shall sacredly regard 
the former, however they may be imagined to 
militate with the latter/ But this declaration 
we are confident will be considered by good 
men of all parties as perfe6lly consistent with 
an unqualified denial of political intolerance. 
No pupil with us has ever been questioned on, 
the subje6l of his political creed, nor withheld 
from a full and fjee avowal of his sentiments, 
nor received any .censure or disapprobation for 
making known his opinions (either in speech or 
writing. We trust, therefore, that neither this 
unfounded rumour, nor the insinuations of any 
individuals hostile to the college, will be per- 
mitted to operate to its disadvantage at this cri- 
tical and necessitous jun61ure of its concerns. 
it fears no scrutiny on this topic. It makes 
some pretensions to services rendered to the 
social and political interests of the United States, 
and it now asks for the means of renderins: more» 

IV.—TO THE ALUMNI OF THE 
COLLEGE, 

WE esteem it as a precious proof, both of 
our own fidelity, and of the benefit which you 
have received in this institution, that your zea- 
lous attachment to the place of your education 
is acknowledged by all, and thought by many 
to be singular. Our expeftations from you pn 
this occasion are sanguine. We know, that you 
eannot contemplate Nassau -hall as a heap of 
niins without a deep exgitcHient of your sensi* 



r 7 1 

bility, and a ready exertion of all your faculties' 
to restore your Alma Mater to her former res- 
pe8:abilLty. It will be much in your power tor 
do this. Occupying stations of honor and dis- 
tin6lion, possessing wealth or influence, scat* 
terred through all the populous cities, towns 
and distri<?ts of the union — Avhat cannot you ef- 
fect ? It is surely not too much for us to say^ 
that we calculate on your taking the lead in 
promoting subscriptions wherever you are, and 
on your care to forward the amount a\ henever it 
shall be colle6led. Never did the college need 
your zeal and services so much as now% and we 
will not believe, that when it is in your power 
to render us essential assistance, your disposi- 
tion will not be equal to your ability. If we 
Were even reduced to the necessity of depending 
on you alone to restore 6ur affairs, such is our 
reliance on the former children of our care, that 
We should hold it criminal to resign our hopes. 
But when we have only to ask that you should 
be examples to others, and lead and prompt the 
general benevolence, our hope rises into assur- 
ance of success. 

v.— TO THE WEALTHY AND BENE. 
^ VOLENT OF EVERY DESCRIPTION. 

WE are not insensible that numerous do- 
nations are solicited from you for various chari- 
table purposes within the smaller circles of so- 
ciety in which you are included, or by instituti- 
ons with which you are immediately connected. 
But allow us likewise to remark, or rather to re- 
peat, that our college has no patronage but 
your''s. It is your institution — you founded it ; 
you have hitherto supported it ; and Vv^hen yoii 
withdraw your countenance it cannot exist. 
We v/ish not to be unduly importunate, and we 
jfeel that to solicit with earnestness, and vet with* 



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out meanness, is no easy task : Butnlay we fiot 
say that among all the objects which demand 
your special regard, this college is almost on a 
footing with any other, and therefore that others 
ought not to claim your favors to the exclusion 
of this—Let us at least divide your liberality 
with them. 

As our subscriptions are to be extensivel}'^ 
circulated, we most of all deprecate the influ- 
ence of an idea naturaliv suggested by such a cir- 
cumstance ; namely----That as many are to give, 
large sums of money will certainly be collected^ 
and therefore that each need give but a little, 
and indeed that it can be of no great importance 
if a number shall refuse to give at alL Is it not 
obvious that in this way, the very expeftation 
that much will be received^ may prevent its re-- 
Ception ? Let it be remembered, then, that be- 
tween all speculative calculations about money 
and the aftual receipts, the diiference is usually 
very great. Let it be remembered that this 
difference is commonly the greatest of all vv'heii 
the basis of calculation is voluntary contributi- 
on. Let it be remembered that it is really a 
large sum that is necessary to repair our losses 
— Forty thousand dollars, will, we fear, fall con- 
siderably short of placing us On the same stand- 
ing that vv^e occupied before the late distressing 
conflagration of our property ; and even then 
we were greatly embarrassed for want of funds. 
Many items are necessary to rise to the requisite 
amount — But we forbear. May that God who 
nath the hearts of all men in his hand dispose 
you to give, and then reward you for the gift with 
the richest of his blessings. " 

Signed by order, and in behalf of the board of 
trustees, by 

JOSEPH BLOOMFIELD, 

Gon^ernor of New- Jersey^ and 
President^ ex-offic'iOy of the 
corporation. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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